Page 65 of The Encounter
She knew it was a big step, and she was honestly nervous. She had never met the parents of someone she was dating. To be honest, her history with men was short. Aside from dating Brad, who was married, she hadn’t dated many other guys seriously. Between moving to a new city after her parents died and then taking care of her ailing grandmother, there wasn’t much time for anything else. Once she moved to New York for school, she spent all her spare time working jobs to pay her grandmother’s bills and keep herself afloat.
It was only after her grandmother died eight months ago that she finally allowed herself a chance to breathe and relax a little. That led her to Brad—a charming older man who showered her with attention, only for it to slap her in the face when she found out he was married.
“Oh please. It’s a big step.”
“Do you think you’ll meet Robert’s parents?” Maddie asked.
Kayla shook her head. “Nope. This is strictly for fun.”
Maddie raised an eyebrow. She had seen Kayla with many men since they became friends in high school, and this was the first time she had ever gushed over a guy or been with one for more than a week. She was convinced Kayla would be her friend who stayed single forever, but things shifted with Robert. Kayla seemed happy and content to keep things the way they were, and she wasn’t already looking for the next guy.
“You sure about that?”
Kayla shrugged and looked down at her hands where she was ringing them in her lap. “I’m not meeting parents anytime soon. Do you know what you’re wearing to the gala? Do we get to go shopping?”
Maddie noticed the change in subject, but didn’t point it out, since she knew she was making Kayla uncomfortable. “I haven’t decided what to wear yet. Honestly, I don’t want to spend a ton of money on a dress.”
“Not to put on the pressure, but I think the press will expect you to be in something fancy because of who you’re going with.”
Maddie knew that, and the thought had been making her sick to her stomach. She couldn’t afford an expensive gown. She couldn’t even afford an affordable gown if she wanted to keep on top of her debt.
“I know.”
Kayla gave her a sympathetic look. “Let me buy a dress for you.”
Maddie’s eyes widened. “I could never accept that.”
“I want you to enjoy yourself and have fun. You rarely cut loose.”
Maddie scooted over on the couch and wrapped her arms around Kayla. “I truly appreciate the gesture. You do not know how much, but I cannot accept that.”
Kayla sighed. “It’s probably for the best. I don’t think I can afford it either.” She giggled. “Butpleasedo something for you for once and buy a knockout dress that’ll make you feel like the million… orbillionbucks you’ll be walking next to.”
Maddie laughed. “Maybe we can go shopping later this week?”
“Deal.”
Maddie knockedon Kailynn’s door, attempting not to spill the two coffees she carried. She knew her habit of getting a coffee weekly was expensive, but it was something that made her week brighter. As Kayla said, Maddie needed to do something for herself occasionally, and this was the small thing she enjoyed doing for herself.
Kailynn pulled the door open. “Oh, I love you!” she said as she took her coffee from Maddie’s outstretched hand. “Come in, come in. Get out of the freezing cold.”
Maddie stepped inside and stamped her feet on the ground to get rid of the water droplets from her shoes before following Kailynn through the apartment and to their office.
Kailynn set her drink down on her desk and turned around, clapping her hands together once before clenching them. “Okay. I have a big job I want to get done today.”
“Awesome. Do you need help?” Maddie set her coffee and purse down before pulling off her coat and hanging it on the hook on the wall near her desk.
“Yes. I need your help all day. Or at least for most of the morning.”
Maddie turned and gave Kailynn a strange look. Normally, Kailynn needed help with posting content on the company website, but she rarely helped Kailynn directly. They usually just each worked on their own projects beside each other, but notwitheach other as Kailynn made the clothing and Maddie marketed it when it was finished.
“I’m intrigued. Tell me more,” Maddie said.
Kailynn pointed at a gown on the mannequin in the corner of the room. Maddie recognized it as a gown Kailynn had made when she returned from Italy with Chase. It was Maddie’s favorite gown of Kailynn’s. The beautiful red dress had hand-sewn sequins around the bunched fabric at the waist and along the bodice, making it elegant and classy. Maddie was shocked no one had purchased it yet.
“I’m confused,” Maddie said. “I already uploaded that one to the site. Did you need me to change something? Or did someone buy it?”
“I need you to take it down. Or at least move it to the gallery, but it’s no longer for sale.”
